Saving Gas and Money During a Road Trip

With the holidays around the corner, many drivers will be spending time in their vehicles as they hit the road to visit family and friends. Gas prices are constantly on the rise and show no signs of stopping, so how can you save money while driving around in your Ford Mustang in Costa Mesa? Here are some road trip tips that will ease the load on your vehicle, as well as your wallet.

Follow the Speed Limit

It can be tempting to put the pedal to the metal and go above the legally posted speed limit in order to arrive to your destination faster. While many drivers often drive 5 to 10 mph over the speed limit, this can cause you to burn extra fuel. This is particularly true for those driving larger vehicles like trucks or SUVs, or vehicles that have more powerful engines, like V8s. To help keep your speed under control, try using cruise control.

Check Your Tire Pressure:

Your tire pressure has a major impact on your fuel economy. When your tires are under inflated, they will have a heightened rolling resistance. This means that there is a greater amount of friction between the tire and the road, which requires your vehicle to work harder in order to continue moving forward.

This added strain causes you to burn more gas while on the road. To avoid this issue, check your air pressure before hitting the road, as well as intermittently every time you make a stop. Check your owner’s manual or the details printed on the inside of your driver’s door in order to determine the required air pressure for your specific vehicle and tires.

Fill Up Smarter

Avoid filling up your vehicle until you have a quarter-tank of gas left. Filling up more frequently means that you’ll be carrying around more weight, which adds more strain to your vehicle and causes it to burn more gas in order to maintain momentum. By holding off on filling up, you can also compare gas stations and choose one with favorable gas prices to fill up at.

Keep It Light

Speaking of carrying around more weight – avoid over-packing your vehicle. Road trips often mean that you’ll be hauling around more cargo than usual (like suitcases and gifts during the holiday season). However, to keep things more aerodynamic, try to only bring along the things you truly need.

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